Kédougou: 11,360 tramadol tablets, 19 bags of cyanide and more than 1,400 liters of fuel seized by the research section of the Kédougou gendarmerie.

A large-scale operation conducted from October 26 to 29, 2026, by the Kédougou research unit in the localities of Tenkoto, Sambrabougou, and Bransa enabled security forces to seize significant quantities of illicit and dangerous goods. Seven people were arrested during this operation, which targeted illegal mining, drug trafficking, and fuel smuggling.

A major operation was carried out in the gold mining areas of Kédougou. Following intelligence reports of alleged illegal mining of mineral substances by Burkinabe nationals, illicit trafficking of tablets and fuel smuggling to Mali, a security operation was conducted from October 26 to 29, 2026 in Tenkoto, Sambrabougou and Bransa.

This intervention enabled the elements of the research section to make significant seizures, highlighting the extent of the illicit activities that thrive in these border and gold-mining areas.

Cyanide, mercury and petroleum products seized

The material report of the operation states that two tricycles, three motorcycles and 17 bags of coal were seized and immobilized.

The police also seized 19 bags of cyanide, a chemical substance particularly dangerous to human health and the environment, as well as 1.5 kilograms of mercury, commonly used in some artisanal gold mining practices.

The section relating to the smuggling of petroleum products, meanwhile, resulted in the seizure of 1,200 litres of gasoline and 240 litres of diesel, for a total of 1,440 litres of fuel.

Another major result of this operation: the discovery of 11,360 tramadol tablets, a pharmaceutical product whose trafficking and misuse constitute a major public health issue.

Seven people arrested

In total, seven people were arrested during this operation. They are suspected of being involved in several offenses, including the illegal possession of chemical substances dangerous to people and the environment, as well as the illegal exploitation of mineral substances.

The people arrested are also being investigated for alleged smuggling of petroleum products and endangering the lives of others.

With regard to drug trafficking, the offenses retained relate in particular to the illegal sale of pharmaceutical products, the illegal practice of the function of pharmacist and endangering the lives of others.

This operation is part of the fight against illegal activities in the gold and border areas of the region initiated by the Kédougou gendarmerie legion, where clandestine mining, the circulation of dangerous chemicals and cross-border trafficking represent major security, health and environmental challenges.

Those arrested will have to answer for the charges against them before the competent authorities.